Matthew Henry Commentary Revelation 4:1-8

"After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, [a voice] as of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter. Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne; and he that sat [was] to look upon like a jasper stone and a sardius: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, like an emerald to look upon. And round about the throne [were] four and twenty thrones: and upon the thrones [I saw] four and twenty elders sitting, arrayed in white garments; and on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceed lightnings and voices and thunders. And [there was] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; and before the throne, as it were a sea of glass like a crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind. And the first creature [was] like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face as of a man, and the fourth creature [was] like a flying eagle. and the four living creatures, having each one of them six wings, are full of eyes round about and within: and they have no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come." — Revelation 4:1-8 (ASV)

After the Lord Jesus had instructed the apostle to write to the churches the things that are, there was another vision. The apostle saw a throne set in heaven, an emblem of the universal dominion of Jehovah. He saw a glorious One upon the throne, not described by human features, so as to be represented by a likeness or image, but only by His surpassing brightness.

These seem to be emblems of the excellence of the Divine nature and of God's awe-inspiring justice. The rainbow is a fitting emblem of that covenant of promise which God has made with Christ, as the Head of the church, and with all His people in Him. The prevailing color was a pleasant green, showing the reviving and refreshing nature of the new covenant.

Twenty-four seats around the throne were filled with twenty-four elders, probably representing the whole church of God. Their sitting denotes honor, rest, and satisfaction; their sitting around the throne signifies nearness to God, and the sight and enjoyment they have of Him. They were clothed in white garments, representing the imputed righteousness of the saints and their holiness. They had on their heads crowns of gold, signifying the glory they have with Him.

Lightnings and voices came from the throne, signifying the awe-inspiring declarations God makes to His church of His sovereign will and pleasure. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, representing the gifts, graces, and operations of the Spirit of God in the churches of Christ, dispensed according to the will and pleasure of Him who sits upon the throne. In the gospel church, the laver for purification is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, which cleanses from all sin.

In this all must be washed to be admitted into the gracious presence of God on earth and His glorious presence in heaven. The apostle saw four living creatures between the throne and the circle of the elders, standing between God and the people. These seem to signify the true ministers of the gospel, because of their place between God and the people.

This is also shown by the description given, denoting wisdom, courage, diligence, and discretion, and the affections by which they mount up toward heaven.